Clothes-line prop



(No Model.)

J. H. STOOKMAN & L. A. THORNTON. 01.0mm LINE PROP.

No. 589,538. Patented S ept. 7,1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN ll. STOCKMAN, Oh OSCODA, AND LY MAN A. THORNTON, OF AU SABLE, MICHIGAN.

CLOTH ES-LINE PROP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No; 589,538, dated September '7, 1897.

- Application filed November 27,1896. Serial No. 613,533. [No model.)

To all whom it may concern..-

Be it known that we, JOHN H. STOCKMAN,

residing at Oscod a, and LYMAN A. THORNTON,

residing at Au Sable, in the county of Iosco and State of Michigan, citizens of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Olothes-Line Props; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and.

use the same.

Our invention relates to clothes-line props. and. more particularly to an improved head adapted for attachment to the prop itself.

Our object is to provide anovel head which can be formed integral with the prop or secured thereto, said head being of such peculiar construction that it will be practically impossible for the prop to fall away from the clothes-line when engaged with the latter and yet allow the prop to be slid along or adjusted on the line to any desired point.

The invention consists of a head made of metal which is in the shape of the letter U and adapted for attachment to the prop or to be formed integral therewith, and the arms of said head being provided with an inwardly and downwardly and again upwardly curved slot, which defines hooks or guards that prevent the clothes-lines from coming out of position.

The accompanying drawing is a perspective view of a clothes-line prop equipped with our improved attachment.

The numeral 1 designates a clothes-line prop. This may be constructed of wood or metal. If made of metal, it can be formed integral with the improved head to be described presently, or said head may be attached to the prop.

Our improved head 2 ismade from a single piece of metal, whichis either bent or cast, so as to be in the shape of the letter U. If it is not formed integral with the prop, it can be secured thereto by screws 3, which pass through the base of said head. Said head has up wardly-cxtcnding portions or arms 4 and 5, which are duplicates.

The numeral 6 designates slots which are made in these arms, and these slots curve inwardly and thence downwardly, to providea V-shaped portion 7, which extends upwardly. Owing to the peculiar shape of the slot, there is provided an outer curved guard or hook 8 and an inwardly-curved guard or hook 9.

In using the device the clothes-line is passed in the slots 6 and down into the V-shaped portions thereof, where it will remain when the clothes-line is supported by the prop. The two hooks prevent accidental disengagement of the line.

It will thus be seen that it will be practi cally impossible for the line to become disconnected from the head unless the prop is properly manipulated. Consequently the prop will not be disengaged from the line no matter how strong the wind may be. \Vhenever it is desirable to shift the prop, this can be done quickly and easily, as the clothesline is free to move in the slots.

There are many slight changes which could be resorted to in carrying out the present invention Without detracting from any of its advantages, and hence we do not limit ourselves to the precise construction shown and described, but consider ourselves entitled to all such variations as properly come within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination with a clothes-line prop, of a substantially U-shaped head secured thereto which has arms that are provided with inwardly and downwardly extending slots which terminate in an upwardly-extending portion, thereby providing inner hookguards.

In testimony whereof we have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribin g witnesses.

JOHN H. STOOKMAN. LYMAN A. THORNTON.

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